Feeding device for thrashing machines



Jan. 18,1927. 1.614.964

A J. MAINLAND ET AL FEEDING DEVICE FOR THRASHING MACHINES Filed Nov. 26, 1924 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 tcornqg.

Jan. 18, 1927. l J. MAINLAND ET m.

FEEDING DEVICE FOR THRASHING MACHNES 7 Sheets-Shut 2 Filed Nov. 26. 1924 Jan. 18, 1927,

J. MAINLAND l-:r AL

"FEEDING nnvrcs Fon THRASHING MACHINES Filed Nov. 26, 1924 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 n i Jan. 18 1927.

J. MAIN-LAND E17 AL FEEDING DEVICE FOR THRASHING MACHINES '1 sheets-sheet. 4v

Filed Nov. 26, 1924 Inf/6 7&0795 A JUaZaUZ Jan. 18., 1927.

J. MAINLAND ET AL EEEDING DEvIcE FOR THRASHING MACHINES Filed Nov. 2G. 1924 7 sheet heet 5,

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FEEDING DEVICE FOR THRASHING MACHINES d Filed Nov. 26, 1924 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Jan. 18, 1927.

J. MAINLAND ET Al.

FEEDING DEVICE FOR THRASHING MACHINES Filed Nov. 2e. 1924 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Patented Jan. 18, 1927.

UNITED STATES l PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN MAINLAND AND SOREN CHRISTIAN NYBERG, OF LA PORTE, INDIANA, AS- SIGNORS T0 THE ADVANCE-RUMELY COMPANY, OF LA PORTE, INDIANA, A COR- PORATION 0F INDIANA.

FEEDING DEVICE FOR THRASI-IING MACHINES.

Application iled November 26, 1924. Serial No. 752,300.

This invention relates to a feeding device and assembly for separators, and is adaptable to many types of machines generally described as separators and thrashers. Such machines are adapted to operate on many types of grains and their products, and this invention is applicable to such machines generally.

This invention is' illustrated more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying an enlarged scale the upper part of the feed,

er hood and assembly which appears in Figure 3, showing vcarrier and hood raised.

Figure 5 is a generally horizontal cross section taken on line 5 5 of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 6 is a vertical cross section taken on the line 6-6 of Figures 2 and 3.

Figure 7 is a vertical cross section taken on the line 7--7 of Figure 2;

Figure 8 is an elevation of the spreader cylirder partially shown in section in Fig ure Figure 9 is a detail vertical cross section taken on line 9-9 of Figure 1 showing in part the supporting and mounting for the feeder.

Like parts are indicated by like characters throughout.

A is a separator housing which generally encloses the parts of a separator machine. A1 is the forward end of this housing which encloses a portion of the feeding mechanism, the spreader cylinder, the main cylinder, the concave and other essential parts of themachine. The forward end of the separator is carried on an axle A2 on wheels A3. The details of these will not be described. A4 is one section of an adjustable two-part carrier. It has hinged to it another section A5. A6 A6 are. adjustable braces for supporting the carrier at each side. They have screwed in their lower ends adjusting screws A which carry bevel gears A8. These gears mesh with a second pair of bevel gears A which are carried by a shaft which has on 1t a crank handle A10. tation of the handle the screws may be f caused to rotate and so may be moved in and out .to adjust the height of the carrier.

Mounted within the carrier is a pair of chains B. f These chains carry at proper intervals slats or bars B1 and are supported and driven by sprockets B2 on a shaft B". By means of these chains and the slats, material to be thrashed is fed to the thrashing mechanism of the separator. This consists of a number of separate assemblies. By reference particularly to Figure 3 these thrashing parts may be seen.

C is a crank shaft carried in bearing blocks C1 which blocks have lateral projections C2. Pivoted to each of these projections is a hanger C3 which at its lower end is provided with a plurality of perforations C4. The hanger C3 lies against an outwardly bent slotted strap C5 which is secured to the side of the carrier A4. Positioned in one By means of the rol of the perforations G4 and extending through the slot of the slotted strap C5 and having its head located inside this strap is an adjusting bolt C6. Since the bolt lies in a slot in the strap C5 some relative movement of the upper part of the separator housing can take place without binding or interfering with the carrier and this construction is provided to permit this4 movement.

The crank shaft C may be provided with any number of throws C7. There is shown Ain the accompanying drawings three such Y throws.

Upon each of these is mounted a band cutter. This includes the following element-s, and on each of the crank throws is mounted a bearing block D. This block is preferably made of two wooden sections as .is shown herewith, and these sections are fastened together by metal plates D1 and bolts D2. There is provided a hole Ds within which oil or other lubricant may be located, and an oil cup or other similar device D4 may be used. Extending rearwardly from each of theblocks D is a pair of ears D5. Fastened to each of these ears is a cutter bar D6 having a forwardly bent portion D7 on which are mounted a plurality of cutting knives D8. At its upper end the bar D6 is pivotally fastened to a link D which in turn is pivoted at D10.

Fastened between each pair of ears D5 and in the rear of the bars D6 is a feeder pan supporting member E which at one end is carried on a bolt E1 and at the other end on a link E2 which is pivoted on an arm E3 iiXed on ar shaft E1'. Fastened below the member E is the feeder pan E5. This pan has eX- tending lengthwise a plurality of rows or' toothed blades E, and extending laterally.

adjacent its lower end one or more rows of toothed blades E7.

Mounted partially below and to the right of ther feeder pans as shown in Figure 3 is a spreading cylinder. rlfhis cylinder is carried on a shaft F and is made up of two end members F1 a central member F2, and a plurality of longitudinal members F5, each of which has extending outwardly from it a number of lingers Ff. Located on the inner side of the casing A1 andv adjacent the end of the spreader cylinder and overhanging the ends is an inwardly extending flange F5. On one end of the shaft F is a driving pulley F5. At each end the sha-ft is carried on adjusting bearings which permit the bearings to be aligned during assembly to compensate for irregularities in manufacture. As shown in the drawings each of the bearings is the same and therefore the section View shown in Figure 7 serves for both ends.

Reinforcing the bearing is a laterally extending channel G. Surrounding the shaft and within the area prescribed by the channel G is a bearing supporting block G1 having a generally spherically shaped cavity G2 within it. Penetrating within this cavity and corresponding inshape to it is one part G2 of the ball bearing holding assembly. Secured to this by means of bolts Gr4 is a second ball bearing holdin@ piece G5. Between the pieces G5 and G5 is located a ball' bearing having one race between the two pieces and the other fixed on the shaft- F. Located between the members G G1 and G5 and the shaft F are bearing spacing collars or sleeves G. G7V is a retaining ring adjustably secured on the shaft, by means of which the collars are retained generally in position.

H is the governor collar freely mounted on the shaft F and having a beveled surface H1 at one end and a groove H2 adjacentits other end. H3 is a second governor collar xed on the shaft F, carrying governor balls HJX H1 pivoted respectively at H5 H5 and having arms HG which extend within the grooves H2 of the'collar H. Springs H7 tend to retain the balls in relative position shown in Figures 2 and 7.

I is a main cylinder shaft upon which is mounted' the cylinder I1 which carries the teeth or lingers I2. The cylinder I1 operates in conjunction with a concave I5 which has fingers I5 so spaced that the fingers I2 of the cylinder I1 pass between them. The concave is adjustably mounted on a rotatable shaft I5 which carries an eccentric I by means of which the concave may be raised and lowered.

J is a retard-er shaft which carries upon it a plurality of retarder lingers J1 which are adapted to rotate with it. Between the retarder lingers are guards J 2. ri`hese guards in the form here shown are metallic loops extending once about the shaft J and having their ends fastened to a bar J5.

Beneath the retarder is a shaker pan K. This pan` has on it a number of laterally extending steps or flights K1, and adjacent its lower end one or more rows of laterally extending teeth K2. At its lower end the shaker' pan K is carried on a plate K5 upon which it slides back and forth when the separator is in operation. Beneath the pan K are one or more members KA1 each of which carries a bearing block K5 in which is journaled the rock shaft K5. This shaft has fixed upon it an arm K7 whichv is connectedy at its outer end to a pitman K8, which at its upper end is pivoted to a gear wheel K9.

Pivoted on the feeder end of the separator and carrying with it a crank shaft of the band cutter, and one end of the feeder pan and supported from the inner end of the carrier is a hood L. It is reinforced by means of a U-shaped member L1 which at its inner end is pivoted about the shaft L2 and has a cross brace bar L5 near the inner ends. rlhe inner ends of the U-shaped member L1 is provided with eyes L2 which are positioned about the bearings for the bearing housing of the shaft L2. The member L is provided with outwardly flaring portions Lf L4.

There is provided in order to avoid breakage and clogging a pair of automatic stop devices and also a friction clutch. The automatic stop devices are shown particularly in Figure 2. The roller M which appears in Figures 2 and 7 is carried in the forked end of a lever arm F 1. At its other end this arm has a stop hook M2 which is adapted to engage a lug M3 fixed to the shaft B3 and rotating with it. llVhen the thrashing parts of the separator are not moving rapidly enough to operate properly upon the material to be thrashed, the governor balls will not move far enough out to move the roller M. As the machine, however, gains speed the governor balls move farther out the collar H moves to the right as shown in Figure 7; the roller M is moved outward, and the lever arm M1 is raised and the hook M2 moves out of contact with the lug M3 on the feeder driving shaft B3 and material to be thrashed is then delivered into the machine.

The amount of material which can pass into the machine. is regulated by the size of the opening between the carrier and the feeder pans. In order to vary the size of this opening the rear end of the feeder pan maybe adjusted and may be raised or low,- ered. This is done by rotating the shaft Ef.

The shaft has fixed upon it an adjusting handle N. Free to move upon the shaft at" is an adjusting plate N1 having anarcuate slot N2 formed in it, and provided with a raised serrated fiange N5 adjoining the slot.

The adjusting lever N is provided with cojusting` plate N1 vis a rod C) which passes 'through a perforated block O1 and `has on it a collar O2. I/Vhen the handle fixed fon the shaftE1 has beenadjusted suitably with relation to the plate N1, the parts are fixed in thel chosen position, 'and the weight of the feeder pans pulling downward on the members E5 moves the shaft E1 downward and thus movesthe handle N and the plate N1, and with this therod O until the collar O2 contacts ythe block O1y and then the parts remain in the position shown, the weightV of the rear end of the feeder pans being carried upon the collar through the linkage above described. `About the rod O and beneath the collar is ahelicalspring O5. The compression of this spring may be adjusted by a threaded collar O*1 which surrounds the rod. Mounted for movement upon the rod O is one gend ofthe lever arm O5, the arm being pivoted at O6. Beneath the lever arm O5 -is a spring O7 and beneath this a collar O2. The opposite end of the lever O5 extends toward the. shaft B5 and normally lies aboveand out of the pat-h of the lug M3.

When for any reason an excessivequantity. of material comes to or accumulates in the throat ofthel machine, that is between the carrier and the feeder pans, the rear end of thefeeder vpans will be raised, rotating the shaft Ef and through it moving upward the. rod O against the resistance of the spring O2.` This movement carries with it the right hand end of the lever -O5 as shown in Figure 2 and correspondingly depresses the other end of this lever, throwing it into the path. of the hook M2 which it contacts and so stops the movement of the feeder and preventsfurther clogging. If this movement took'place. when the lever O5 was exactly above the lug M3 breakage might occur and to avoid this the spring O7 is provided which permits some yielding of the lever O5 without breakage; and the ymoment the lug M3 has passed from under the lever, the latter will be restored to its normal position andwill engage the lug upon its next revolution, so stopping the machinery and preventing further clogging.

I shall no w describe the driving connections. On one end of the cylinder shaft I is a pulley P which is adapted to be driven by a belt P1 from a tractor or any othery suitable power source. At the other endof the shaft I isa second pulley P2` which extends outwardly beyond the housing A1, on f 'the same side of the machine and on theV shaft F is a pulley P5. `On the shaft L2 isa large pulley P4, and mounted on the pivoted lever P5 is a tightener pulley P". Surrounding all of these pulleysA and driving them all from the pulley P2 is a belt P1. Fixed on the shaft L2 just inside the pulley Piis a sprocket P5 which engages and is connected by means of a chain P0 to a Y sprocket P10 on the crank shaft C. At the,`

`8() P4 is keyed a pinion P11 and a sprocket P12.

end of the shaft L2 opposite from the pulley The pinion P11 meshes with the gear K2 and through it-moves the pitman lK5 and theV rock shaft towhichit is connected. l

Carried in the mounting X is a stud X1. Mounted on and adapted to rotate about this stud is a sleeve P15 wh'ch has fixed upon it a pinion P14 and is provided with an outwardly extending flange P15. Mounted about the sleeve is a sprocket wheel P16 which is normally held against, the flange P15 and is driven by the chain P25 from the sprocket P12. On lthe other side of-Said fiange is an engaging disc P17. The sprocket P1G and the disc P17 arel held together by means of bolts P18, which have about them blocks of rubber P19 or other yielding material. By means of this construction the sprocket wheel P16 is held normally fixed with relation to the flange P15, but slippage is possible, and this assembly constitutes in effectl a friction clutch. K

The pinion P11 engages with the gear P2o on the shaft B3 and thus completes the drive through to the carrier shaft, On the opposite end of the shaft B5 is a sprocket wheel P21. P22 is a sprocket on one end of the shaft J on the same side of the machine as the sprocket P21 on the shaft Bsj This shaft Y J is driven through a chain P25 from the sprocket P21, and thus the retarder is driven from the carrier.

Q is a link mounted in the upper end of the lever P5. It passes through a perforated retaining member Q1 and has about it a helical spring Q2. In the outer end of the link Q, is an adjusting screw Q2 by means of which the degree of compression on the spring may be varied. It is normally such as to hold the parts in the position shown in Figure 1, and adjustment may be made so as to make the proper degree of pull on the belt P1. f

R is a worm wheel on the rotatable shaft I5. It meshes with a worm R1 which may be rotated by the handle R2. By means of this arrangement the shaft I5 is moved so liti vice, still it will be obvious that many changes might be madein size,vshape and arrangement of parts without departing materially from thez spirit of our invention; and We v'ish therefor that our showing be taken as in a sense grammatic.

The use and opel-ation of our invention are as follows:

lVhen the machine is to be used for thrashing grain or other suitable material, the parts are generally in the position shown in Figure l. The carrier is raised or loivered to any suitable height by means of the adjustable support beneath it and the hood L 'with th-e parts which it carries is raised or lovvered with reference to the carrier so as to adjust the size of the throat opening above the carrier belt and beneath the band cutters and feeder pans, The concave is also adjusted to a suitable position, and'when these adjustments have been accomplished the machine set in operation.

As power isflirst applied the cylinders commence rotating', but the carrier sprocket shaft does not rotate. rlhis isfbecause the stop M2 is engaging' the lug M3 attached to that shaft. The governor which acts upon the roller M is so proportioned and adjusted that when the cylinder and other parts have attained a sufficient speed for proper thrashing, the balls spread, and thus the roller M is moved and the hook Mg slips out of contact with the lug M3 and the carrier shaft commences to rotate and the carrier to move and feed material to the machine for thrashing. y

When for any reason the speed of rotation of the cylinder and the speed of movement of the other parts which are driven in relation to the cylinder falls below the necessary point for satisfactory operation, the governor sloivs down and again permits the point M2 to engage the lug M3 to stop the carrier and to prevent the feeding' of additional material into the thrashing parts, thus preventing the further clogging and jamming of the machine.

This operation of stopping feeding of material to the thrashing parts when the speed of their movement falls belovv the necessary limit., is not for all purposes suficiently rapid to prevent clogging. rlherefore another and quicker acting stop is provided. lfihen for any reason clogging takes place, th-e material is not passed downward beyond the spreader, rhe retarder, the cylinder and the concave rapidly enough and thus it accun'iulatrs in this general area and builds up, and as more material comes it bui1 ls higher, crowding up under the feeder par.. Then this crowding has occurred to a sufficient degree, the feeder pans are raised thus rotating the shaft from which their lower ends are supported, and 1vhen the shaft moves the adjust-ing plate N1 Which is fixed with relation to the shaft moves also, carrying upward the part vO and rotating the lever G5 so that its end comes in contact with the lug M3 and stops rotation of the shaft B3, thus preventingfurther feeding of material into the thrashing zone. |This action takes place very rapidlyY and is the first to cause stopping of the machine. When the clogging has been remedied and the machine is again in condition for operating, the stop which is operated by movement of the feeder pans is of course freed. As soon as material is removed from under them so that they are no longer forced up, this stop goes out of operation, but the other stop which is operated by the governor lirst has come into operation and so prevents starting of the feeding mechanism until after the thrashing parts have attained the necessary speed to carry out proper thrashmg.

When the machine first started, as above noted, the feeding carrier does not operate, but the other parts do. At this time the friction clutch shown in Figure 6 in detail operates to permit rotation of the other parts of the machine While the feeding mechanism which is normally driven together Wi th them does not operate. During this period of operation the friction clutch slips. 1V hen sufficient speed has been gained by the thrashing parts and the governor operates to permit rotation of the carrier, the clutch no longer slips and the parts are all driven together. When for any reason the operation of the machine is stopped by either of the automatic stops, the clutch again slips and thus this clutch slips When the carrier is not rotated, but when it is rotating does not slip, and all of the normally rotating parts are operated together.

live claim:

l. ln combination in a' thrasher, thrashing means, and means for feeding material thereto, an automatic stop adapted to prevent feeding to said thrashing means until the same has reached suiiicient speed for thrashing, and a second automatic st-op adapted to stop the movement of said feeding` means when clogging takes place Wit-hin the thrasher, said Erst mentioned stop being governor controlled and operated in response to the speed of rotation of the thrashmg means.

In combination in a thrasher, thrashing means, and means for feeding material thereto, an automatic stop adapted to prevent feeding to said thrashing means until the same has reached sufficient speed for thrashing, and a second automatic stop adapted to stop the movement of said feeding means when clogging takes lplace Within the th rasher. said first mentioned stop being governor controlled and operated in response to the speed of rotation of the thrashing means,

in' combination witha member located with,- `in the feeding area and adapted when clogging takes place to be displaced to operate said second stop.

3. In combination in a thrasher, thrashing means, and means for feeding material there- Vto,` an automatic stop adapted to prevent means, in combination with a member located within the feeding area and adapted when clogging takes place to be displaced to operate said second stop, said second stop adapted to be moved automatically out of operative position when the clogging material has been removed to permit return ,movement of the member which operates it.

4. In a thrasher, in combination a feed carrier assembly and moving elements in addition to the feed carrier adapted t-o act upon material fed l to the thrasher, the two associated so that adjustmenty of the carrier moves said elements.

5. In a thrasher, in combination a feed carrier assembly and moving elements adapted to act upon material fed to the thrasher, the two associated so that adjustment of the carrier moves said elements, said elements being mounted in fixed relation with each other, and in combination with Ameans `permitting relative adjustment between them and the carrier.

' v 6. In a thrasher, in combination a feed carrier assembly and moving elements adapted to act upon `material fed to the thrasher, the'two associated so that adjustment of the carrier moves said elements, there beinga loose link connection between the carrier and said elements adapted to permit slight relative movement of one without causingl movement'of the other.

" 7.In a thrasher. in combination a. feed carrier assembly and moving elements adapted to act upon material fed to` the thrasher, the-two associated so that adjustment ofthe carrier moves said elements, said elements being mounted in fixed relation with each other and in combination with means permitting relative adjustment between them and the carrier. there being a loose link con-- nection between the carrier and said elements `adapted to permit-I slight relative movement of one: without causing movement of the other. i Y

A- 8.v In combination with a thrasher, a feeding mechanism and a pivoted supporting iframe; said frame' carrying certain of the thrashing mechanisms, and being mounted andpconnected tofsaid feeding mechanism so that movement of the latter moves the former. i 9. In combination with a thrasher, a feeding mechanism and a pivoted supporting frame, said frame carrying certain of the thrashing mechanisms, and being mounted and connected to said feeding mechanism so that movement of the latter moves the former, and means for relatively adjusting the tw-o so that vthe supporting frame maybe selectively adjusted with relation to the feeding means.

l0. In combination with a fthrasher, a feeding mechanism and a pivotedsupporting frame, said frame carrying certain of 30 the vthrashing mechanisms. andbeing mounted `and connected to said feeding mechanism so that movement ofthe latter 'movesAV the former, and a" loose link connection between the two adapted to permit limited relative movement of one without causing movement ofthe other. f I f 11. In combination with a thrasher, a feeding mechanism land a pivoted supporting frame, .said frame carryingcertain of the "thrashing mechanisms. 'and being mounted and connected to saidfeeding mechanism so that movement of Vthe latter moves the former, and means for relatively' adjusting the two sothat the supportingframe'may be selectively' adjusted withl relation to the feeding means, and a loose link connection between thetwo adapted tol permit limited relative movement of one without causing movement of the other. y Y

l2. In combination in a thrasher, thrashing parts and feeding parts, the same adapted normally to be driven together, in combination therewith ak `clutch'l arrangement whereby the feeding mechanism may be stopped while the thrashing` mechanism continues to operate. in combination with an automatic stopy adapted to prevent movement of said feeding means Vwhile lpermitting through the slipping` of said clutch, movejmentfof said thrashing mechanism,"

ed normally to be driven together. in'combio nation therewith an` automatic clutch ar- H5 rangement whereby the feedinfr mechanism 'may be stopped while the thrashing mechan-ism continues to operate.in combination with an automatic stop adapted to 'prevent "movement of said feeding means while pery mitting, thru the slipping of said clutch, movement of said thrashing mechanism.

14. In combination in a thrasher, thrashing parts and feeding parts, the same adapted normally to be driven together, in combination' .therewithl a clutch arrangement 'whereby vthe feedingr mechanism ymay be stopped while the thrashing mechanism continues to'operate, in combination with a plurality of automatic stops adapted to prevent movement of said feeding means while permitting, through the slipping of said clutch, movement of said thrashing mechanism.

15. In combination in a thrasher, thrashing parts and feeding parts, the same adapted normally to be driven together, in combination therewith an automatic clutch arrangement whereby the feeding mechanism may be stopped while the thrashing mechanism continues to operate, in combination with a plurality of automatic stops adapted to prevent movement of said feeding means while permitting, through the slipping of the clutch, movement of said thrashing mechanism.

16. In combination in a thrasher, thrashing parts and feeding parts,- the same adapted normally to be driven together, in combination therewith an automatic clutch arrangement whereby the feeding mechanism may be stopped while the thrashing mechanism continues to operate, in combination with a plurality of automatic stops adapted to prevent movement of said feeding means while permitting through the slipping of the clutch, movement of said thrashing mechanism, one of said stops adapted to operate automatically when the thrashing mechanism after having been started slows down below the necessary speed for thrashing.

17.V In combination in a thrasher, thrashing parts and'feeding parts, the same adaptednormally to be driven together, in combination therewith an automatic clutch arrangement whereby the feeding mechanism may be stopped while the thrashing mechanism continues to operate, in combination with a plurality of automatic stops adapted to prevent movement of said feeding means while permitting, through the slipping of the clutch, movement of said thrashing mechanism, one of said stops adapted to prevent movement of the feeding mechanism until the thrashing mechanism has attained sufficient speed, the other of said stops adapted to operate automatically when the thrashing mechanism after having been started slows down below the necessary speed for thrashing.

18. In a thrashing machine a pivotally mounted carrier trough, a band cutter-adjacent the discharge end thereof, means for automatically raising and lowering it as the inclination of the carrier is changed to maintain the distance between it and the carrier constant.

19. In a thrashing machine a pivotally mounted carrier trough. a band cutter adjacent the discharge end thereof, means for automatically raising and lowering it as the inclination of the carrier is changed to maintain the distance between it and the carrier constant, means for separately adjusting the mouth of the cutter above the carrier.

20. In a. thrashing machine a pivotally mounted carrier trough, a band cutter adjacent the discharge end thereof, means for automatically raising and lowering it as the inclination of the carrier is changed to maintain the distance between it and the carrier constant, the cutter being free to move away from the carrier when an excess of material is fed to it by the carrier.

21. In a thrashing machine a pivotally mounted carrier trough, a band cutter adjacent the discharge end thereof, meav s for automatically raising and lowering it as the inclination of the carrier is changed to maintain the distance between it and the carrier constant', means for separately adjusting the mouth of the cutter above the carrier, the cutter being free to move away from the carrier when an excess of material' is fed to it by the carrier.

22. The combination with a feeder for thrashing machines and the like of means for conveying a continuous stream of material thereto.` means located above the stream for cutting the bands, pushing the material through the feeder and spreading and distributing it as it is discharged to the thrashing cylinder there being' a pivotal connection between the band cutting means and the means for pushing the material through the feeder.

23. The combination with a feeder 'for thrashingmachines and the like of means for conveying a continuous stream of material thereto, means located above the stream for cutting the bands, pushing the material through the feeder and a spreading cylinder in opposition to the thrashing cylinder there being a pivotal connection between the band cutting means and the means for pushing the material through the feeder.

24. The combination with a feeder for thrashing machines and the like of means for conveying a continuous stream of material thereto. means located above the stream for cutting the bands, pushing the material through the feeder and spreading and distributing it as it is discharged to the thrashing cylinder. and means engaging the underside of the stream for retarding the flow of material and for stopping the flow of the underside of the stream when. the feed is stopped there being a pivotal connection between the band cutting means and the means for pushing the material through the feeder.

25. The combination with a feeder for thrashing machines and the like of means for conveying a continuous stream of material thereto, means located above the stream for cutting the bands, pushing the material through the feeder and a spreading cylinder in opposition to the thrashing cylinder, and means engaging the underside of the stream for retarding the flow of material and for stopping the flow of the underside of the stream when the feed is stopped there being a pivotal connection between the band `cutting means and the means for pushing the material through the feeder. y

26. In a thrashing machine, a plurality of pusher fish backs adjacent the discharge end thereof and means for raising and lowering the supports therefor as the inclination of the carrier is changed to maintain constant the width of the throat between the pushers and the carrier.

A27. The process of feeding material to a thrashing machine which consists in conveying thereto a continuous stream of material cutting the bands on the upper side thereof. engaging the upper side thereof and pushing it forward into the thrashing machine and engaging the material on the upper side thereof and spreading and distributing it as it is discharged to the thrashing cylinder and in engaging the stream of material from beneath to retard its flow and stopping the flow of the underside of the stream when the feed is stopped there being a pivotal connection between the band cutting means and the means for pushing the material through the feeder.

28. In a thrashing machine a pivotally mounted carrier, a band cutter mounted for movement threwith to maintain a constant distance between them independent of variation in the angular relation, pusher fish `backs adapted to move with the band cutter to maintain a constant width of throat, a distributing cylinder adapted to engage the upper surface of the stream of material brought in by the carrier there being a pivotal connection between the band cutting means und the means for pushing the material through the feeder. 1

29. In a thrashing machine a pivotally mounted carrier, a band cutter mounted for movement therewith to maintain a constant distance between them independent of variation in the angular relation, pusher fish backs adapted to move with the band cutter to maintain a constant width of throat, a distributing,cylinder adapted to engage the upper surface of the stream of material brought in by the carrier, a retarder adapted to retard the iiow of the underside of the stream of material and means for stopping the movement of the retarder when the feed of the carrier is stopped there being a pivotal connection between the band cutting means and the means for pushing the material through the feeder.

30. In a thrashing machine a pivotally mounted carrier, a band cutter mounted for movement therewith to maintain a constant distance between them independent of variation in the angular' relation, pusher fish backs adapted to move with the band cutter to maintain a constant width of throat, a distributin@` cylinder adapted to engage the upper surtace of the stream of material brought in by the carrier, a retarder adapted to retard the flow of the underside of the stream of material and means for stopping the movement of the retarder when the feed of the carrier is stopped, means operative when the speed of the thrashing machine falls below a. predetermined point for stopping the feed of the carrier there being a pivotal connection between the band cutting means and the means for pushing the material through the feeder.

3l. In a thrashing machine a pivotally mounted carrier, a band cutter mounted for movement therewith to maintain a constant distance between them independent of variation in the angular relation, pusher fish backs adapted to move with the band cutter tc maintain a constant width of throat, a distributing cylinder adapted to engage the upper surface of the stream of material brought in by the carrier, a retarder adapted to retard the liow of the underside of the stream of material and means for stopping the movement of the retarder when the feed of the carrier is stopped, means operative when the speed of the thrashing machine falls below a predetermined point for stopping the feed 40f the carrier, and means operative when the material fed through the throat exceeds a pre-v determined amount for stopping the feed of the carrier there being a pivotal connection between the band cutting means and the means for pushing the material through the feeder. y Y Signed at Chicago, county of Cook and State of Illinois this 8th day of November, 1924.

JOHN MAINLAND.

SOREN CHRISTIAN NYBERG. 

